Millwright Level 1 Practice Exam

What features does a follower rest have?

1. One fixed jaw

2. Two adjustable jaws

3. Three movable arms

4. Four clamping fingers

The correct answer is: Two adjustable jaws

A follower rest is a tool used in lathe operations to support long or slender workpieces during machining. The feature of having two adjustable jaws allows the follower rest to accommodate various diameters and lengths of workpieces. This adjustability is crucial because it ensures that the workpiece is properly supported across its length, which minimizes vibrations and ensures precision throughout the machining process. With two adjustable jaws, the follower rest can adapt to different shapes and sizes of workpieces, providing stability and support without requiring the workpiece to be clamped too tightly, which could lead to distortion. This versatility is essential in machining operations where maintaining the integrity of the workpiece is critical for achieving accurate finished dimensions. The other options concerning the design of the follower rest—such as having one fixed jaw, three movable arms, or four clamping fingers—do not accurately depict the common configuration and functionality of a follower rest, which primarily highlights its adjustable jaws designed for effective support and enhanced machining performance.